When writing poetry analysis, it's so much easier to take an objective stance and see the clear flaws in a piece. I also write much quicker when analyzing poetry than writing it even when the poem I'm writing is very short! Maybe anyone would agree that it's much easier to be on the side of the judge than on the side of the one being judged, to be the observer rather than the creator. Even though I could easily say that I don't particularly enjoy writing poetry, I think it was a very important experience that everyone should have, not just those studying English or taking a class, but composition should be a part of any English curriculum in public school. Especially for children and adolescents, it could be a great way to encourage students to express themselves.
I remember when I was in middle school, we had to write poems and perform them in class. It was a simple assignment to write about how colors make us feel, and I wrote about gray. The class was quite impressed with my poem and I got a good grade, but it was a confidence-building moment for the young me who realized that even I could write something that people enjoyed. When I become a teacher in the future, I'd want to make sure every other kid gets that same opportunity.
Hi Holly!
ReplyDeleteI want to first say that the basis of poetry is such an evolving thing, and that while you can't write Shakespeare, I believe that Shakespeare today would be just another nameless face in a crowd. Poe, on the other hand, maybe not so much. That guy was interesting.
But yeah, for the most part, I feel that in exploring poetry can be stressful. For some, it can be so therapeutic, but I also know that for others, especially those that don't like to live in their heads so much, that it can feel draining and tasking. But, I also love that poetry can be as short or as long as you want it. You could defragment a poem, and put alphabet soup on a page and that could be poetry. The only goal with poetry, in my opinion, is evokation.
I'm sure that when you become a teacher, you'll accomplish in giving children inspiration and confidence in their writing!
Thanks for sharing!
Hey Holly! Totally agree that this exercise is a great way for students of all ages to express themselves! The original assignment that we all did in class was a great way to get the creative juices flowing and help us with inspiration. I think more assignments like this should be implemented in the classroom for our future students for sure. No matter what the grade level is too! Love how you were assigned to write about how colors made you feel. That can be as abstract as you want or as simple as you please. Just as you proved, it was a great stepping stone for you! Through that assignment you were able to express yourself and boosted your academic and inner confidence as a writer! Even learned a thing or two to adopt into your future curriculum. Who knows your future students may have a similar experience as well!
ReplyDeleteHi Holly!
ReplyDeleteFirst off thank you for sharing your experience writing poetry in middle school. That's always a good feeling, especially with middle schoolers because they are brutal! Reading your experience it got me thinking about how early I started poetry thanks to my teachers. My memory goes all the way back to elementary school when my teacher would have write Valentine's for our parents so I wrote probably the most cheesy poem. But it was a poem, and not something I ever thought would qualify as a poem. So if you think about it, we've probably been writing poetry in the classroom from day one which absolutely served as an creative outlet.
Best,
Kyrah
Hi Holly,
ReplyDeleteI find your post so interesting and true for probably most of us in the class. I think we were all a bit afraid to write poetry on the spot- just GO! The pressure of being a great, Wow. That would be like a little leaguer having to be Otani, Trout, or any other big league hitter. I think someone else mention that we should appreciate our baby steps and the growth we are experiencing. I'll take that as you should. The poem you performed was great.
I liked for writing about poetry, you were attempting to find the flaws in your writer's piece. For myself, the assignment would have become three times as difficult. I am sure you found a way, you are very skilled.
I loved the middle school story, but woried two things. Why the color gray and do you still have the poem?
--CD O'Faolain